Every year, the Canadian Kennel Club compiles data from registrations to identify the top dog breeds in Canada. 

From the big and brawny to the light, bouncy and so much in between - meet Canada's Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2023!
 

Cheers to last year’s Top Dogs, the Top Dogs of decades ago and the Top Dogs of tomorrow!

Every dog deserves a wonderful home and every wonderful home deserves to have a dog who is the perfect fit for them.

I​n this edition of "the Dish", a Canadian Kennel Club member shares his ideas on how we can promote purebred dogs in our day-to-day lives. 

Aces in their Places. Taking a look at the important task of puppy placement.

Robust, intelligent and agile

In this edition of "The Dish", we meet the Appenzeller Sennenhund. A breed that has recently joined the Herding Group as a Listed Breed.

Meet the Bergamasco Shepherd 

Loyal, Affectionate and Intelligent.

The Biewer Terrier is now eligible to compete as a Listed Breed in the Toy Group.

This edition of "The Dish" will introduce you this tri-colored toy terrier whose only purpose in life is to love and be loved.
 

“Golden Expectations,” a blog to remind puppy buyers of the monumental role that genetics play in domesticated dog personality and behaviour.


 

Purebred Dogs made a triumphant return to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair right on time for their 100th anniversary!

Read all about the shows, demonstrations and “Meet the Breeds” in this week’s edition of “The Dish”.  

Loyal, friendly and easy-going, the Sussex Spaniel is a lovable member of the Sporting Group.

Learn more about this incredible rare breed in this week’s edition of “The Dish”. 

 

Athletic and intelligent, the Dalmatian excels at many dog sports.

Learn more about this energetic member of the Non-Sporting Group in this week’s edition of “The Dish”.

Bright, spunky, and adaptable, the Silky Terrier makes a devoted pet.

Learn more about this charming member of the Toy Group in this week’s edition of “The Dish”.


 

This year, again and unfortunately, the Westminster Kennel Club could not go ahead with its regularly scheduled winter event with Breed showing at the Piers and Group judging at Madison Square Garden. As the pandemic entered the Omicron variant stage, the date along with the venue changed, and the event was again held in Tarrytown, New York. 

This edition of "The Dish" covers our Canadian-born Best of Breed and Group Winning dogs! Go Canada, go! 

This week’s edition of “The Dish” will introduce you to the Yakutian Laika.

Hailing from Russia’s Far East, the Yakutian Laika joins the Canadian Kennel Club’s Working Group as a Listed Breed.

Blogger Ian Lynch reviews "Borzoi in Canada: The Early Years 1894 - 1954." compiled by breeder and historian Judy A. Carleton.

 

Loyal, fast, and friendly

Meet the unique Bedlington Terrier in this week's edition of "the Dish". 

Loyal and powerful and funny

Meet the Alaskan Malamute in this week's edition of "The Dish".

Strong, Clean and Courageous.

Meet the Akita in this week's edition of "The Dish".

Fast, regal and loyal.

Meet the aristocratic Borzoi in this week's edition of "The Dish".

There are certain events in the dog show world that are not to be missed and Morris & Essex Kennel Club Dog Show is definitely one!

Held only once every five years, the Morris & Essex Kennel Club brings back the legacy of Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge's glamourous dog show, originally held from 1927 through 1957. This year’s show was postponed from 202 due to the pandemic and was held on October 6, 2021, at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey.

Did you know that all dogs can compete in CKC sanctioned events like Agility, Obedience, Rally Obedience, and Chase Ability?

With over 3000 CKC sanctioned events held across Canada in an average year, there are literally thousands of opportunities for you to enjoy great fun with your canine companion and meet other dog lovers!

Responsible breeders ask a lot of questions before placing their pride and joy pups new homes. This often takes place in an online puppy questionnaire and through conversations.

This blog will give new puppy buyers a sense of some potential questions a breeder might ask and why.

Awarded CKC’s inaugural Obedience Competitor of the Year Award, we sat down through Zoom to learn all about Lee and how she got started in competitive Obedience

A look at Canada's incredible dog breeds!

Learn about six of them in this week's edition of "The Dish".

Congratulations to our Canadian Best of Breed and Group Placing dogs! Go Canada Go!

Although the date and venue were different this year, one thing remained the same - Canadian Dogs wowed at Westminster! 

"The Puppy Blues"

Everyone compliments your puppy, and you know they are great, so why do you feel so overwhelmed, anxious, regretful, or down? It's likely something we call the “Puppy Blues". The condition is usually temporary and you can read more about it in this blog.

Did your favourite breed make this year’s top 10?

From the big and brawny to the light, bouncy and so much in between - meet Canada's Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2020!
 

The Canadian Kennel Club welcomes the Australian Kelpie, the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Portuguese Sheepdog.

The Canadian Kennel Club warmly welcomes the Australian Kelpie, The Lagotto Romagnolo and The Portuguese Sheepdog in this 4th and final blog series on our newly recognized breeds! 

"It is with great pride that I am pleased to announce that the Newfoundland (All Breed) Kennel Club (NKC) hosted one fabulous indoor show weekend from November 20^th to the 22^nd during the Covid-19 Pandemic."

Well for those of you who have been to Newfoundland & Labrador, there is one thing you already know. The folks of our beautiful province have incredible spirit and perseverance.  

The Canadian Kennel Club warmly welcomes the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, the Black Russian Terrier, and the Spanish Water Dog.

Meet the Black Russian Terrier, The Spanish Water Dog and the Anatolian Shepherd in our third blog introducing the Canadian Kennel Club's newly recognized breeds. 

"Now, in the absence of trials as we knew them, I realize there was both familiarity and comfort in many of the details of competition I hadn’t recognized before."

Like so many of you, I’ve spent large chunks of my adult life in obedience venues. My perception at the time was that there was pleasure in a few brief moments of any trial day, but that you had to plow through a considerable amount of tedium to harvest it.

Welcoming the Tibetan Mastiff, the Rat Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund

Meet the Tibetan Mastiff, Rat Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund in this second entry of our blog series introducing the Canadian Kennel Club’s newly recognized breeds!

A warm welcome to the Glen of Imaal Terrier, the Shikoku and the Mudi!
 
The Canadian Kennel Club received Ministerial approval from Agriculture Canada on Friday, October 9^th on the 2016 Special Referendum which means there are 12 breeds that are now eligible for registrations as a recognized breed!

This common practice is actually an incredibly dangerous behaviour to allow while travelling 

There are so many things I love about dogs and “dog people”. Too many to list. On the other hand, I also have some pet peeves when it comes to the behaviours of dog owners. Allowing nails to overgrow, incorrect use of a retractable leash, and not picking up after their dogs, are just a few. Today I was reminded of one that is so common you probably see it every single day in nice weather: allowing a dog to ride with its head out of a car window.

 

My process of getting my dog comfortable around kids

Today, my partner sent me a video via text of my eighteen month old Dandie Dinmont Terrier in a nearby park playing happily with 3 children. The video was adorable and all parties seemed thrilled to be out in the sun together. Adorable videos like those are very special to me as my little Leroy wasn’t always comfortable around children.

BC dog lovers gathered to promote purebred dogs

Although we all like to post photos of our dogs on our Facebook and Instagram pages, nothing really shows off how great purebred dogs are like taking them out in public. I have three dogs that all look very different (Standard Poodle, Doberman Pinscher and a Dandie Dinmont Terrier) and let me tell you, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t have answer a question about my dogs-lately from a distance of six feet. 

A popular tool that must be used with extreme caution
 
While I share a common bond with all dog owners, I have a few dog care (or rather, lack of dog care) pet peeves. One is seeing a dog with overgrown nails. Another is owners not picking up after their dogs. The third is the incorrect use of retractable leads.
 
Retractable leashes are incredibly common- you can buy them at every pet supply store, big box stores and online. It would be rare to meet a dog owner who hasn’t bought a retractable leash at some point in their life. 

“Loyalty and Duty are Skye Terrier watch words and he never fails to adhere to the terms of that standard even when his owner may waiver. A Skye Terrier never forgets and never forgives.” Dr. Richard Meen.

With such a devoted nature in a size suited to city or country living with easier than it looks grooming requirements, you might be asking “Why are Skyes so rare?”. Other breeds have become more popular and with little ‘commercial’ popularity, the ownership of, and demand for Skye Terriers, has decreased. If you decide to get a Skye Terrier, you will not only be helping an endangered breed, but will probably be the only one in your neighbourhood with one. You will also get the chance to meet your neighbours often as everyone will be asking “What type of dog is that?!?”.

A huge dog with a heart to match, the Leonberger is a whole lot of awesome when put in the right home.

Standing as tall as 31 and a half inches at the shoulder with thick yellow gold to red-brown, medium-long coat and a black masked face that holds soulful eyes – it’s hard to forget a Leonberger once you’ve met one.

Some tips and advice for puppy buyers in the midst of the pandemic

I must say this is a blog I never imagined myself writing, but here we are. While our brave health care workers continue to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, puppy buyers are faced with many challenges this spring. Here are some tips and things to consider when buying a puppy during this difficult time.

When I was a child, my mother enrolled my American Cocker Spaniel “Peanut” and I in a dog obedience training course that was specially designed for. The course was taught by a man who owned 3 Samoyeds and brought them to every class to demonstrate exercises. Before the course I had never laid my eyes on a Samoyed before. I remember telling my mom that they looked like “stuffed animals and Christmas morning”! Since then, I have remained enchanted by the breed and am not alone. The Samoyed has fans around the world and for good reason - they are charming, intelligent and sensitive dogs.
 

A conversation with a great Canadian.

If you don’t know who Taffe McFadden is, chances are, you know her dogs. Taffe is one of America’s premier professional handlers seen at all the major televised dog shows including the AKC National Dogs Show, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show as well as hundreds of shows in between.

Congratulations to our fantastic Canadian-bred dogs who wowed at Westminster!

Westminster week 2020 has come and gone. Whenever I arrive in Manhattan for my favourite event of the year, I always believe I have so much time, but the show comes and goes in a snap. Especially this year.

The weekend of October 26 & 27, 2019 saw Canadian Whippets, Greyhounds, Azawahks and Ibizans head to Muncie, Indiana for the 34^th American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) International Invitational.  This event is considered by some enthusiasts to be the premier lure coursing event across all of North America.  

Make the most of WKC as a spectator!

As a child, I watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show every year with my father. I used to tell my dad while watching the competition that one day I would be there. The first year I attended was the 140^th annual show and Canadian Dr. Richard Meen was the Best in Show judge which was so special, ... 

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of Canada hosted a unique event designed to make lasting memories for Junior Handlers
 
In my blog last week, I was listing activities and events that we, the owners of rare dog breeds, can do to promote our breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of Canada consists of a dedicated bunch who come together several times throughout the year to get their breed known. Recently, at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, the group made lasting memories for a group of young dog enthusiasts. 

The annual gathering of Canada’s most talented young dog handlers was witness to an unprecedented display of friendly competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship when the 17 competitors from across our vast country convened for the Canadian Kennel Club Junior Handling National Championships for Conformation and Obedience in Belleville, Ontario on October 26, 2019. 

 

Owning a dog in a city apartment takes dedication, routine and a good pair of shoes.

I live downtown Toronto with my Standard Poodle and my Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Throughout the years of condo living in the big city with dogs, I’ve learned how to live in a tight space while still taking care of all my dogs’ needs.  Here are some tips and tricks I have learned while owning dogs in a big city apartment. If you are a dedicated owner, you too can give your dog a great life in the big city.

On October 26^th, 2019, Junior Handlers from across Canada will participate in the CKC Junior Handling National Championships hosted by the Belleville & District Kennel Club in Belleville, Ontario. Juniors will compete for the title of Best Overall Junior of 2018 in their discipline, Conformation or Obedience. In addition, the Conformation winner will have the chance to represent Canada at Crufts in England in March 2020.

​Please meet the talented and dedicated Junior Handling Provincial Zone Winners that are competing in this year’s National.

You WILL survive this phase with some knowledge, tricks and many withdrawals from your pool of patience! 

“What happened to my good puppy?” countless dedicated owners have asked themselves once their beloved pet turns 6 months mark and enters their “teenage months”. This period where your dog begins sexual maturity involves a ton of changes to your dog’s biological, physical, and psychological makeup. As a result, their behaviour is affected. 

Breeding purebred dogs requires time, appropriate resources, dedication, and most importantly, expertise. Making the decision to breed is a commitment—a responsible breeder strives to achieve specific goals that include improving immediate and long-term health and well-being of their breed(s). Continuing education is an important part of reaching these goals. Whether you are a novice breeder considering your first litter, or an experienced breeder looking to improve your breeding program, continuing education will help you improve your breeding program success.

With 175 recognized breeds from seven different groups, there is a lot to know about each breed’s unique natural instincts and characteristics. Whether you are looking to add a purebred dog to your family, or you’re just curious, attending a “Meet the Breeds” event is a great way to learn about the different temperaments and needs of each breed. 
 
The Manitoba Working and Herding Association hosts a Meet the Breeds event annually at the Red River EX!. 

 

I personally have never had a dog who reacts towards skateboards. However, many of my friends have had this issue with their dogs and since I live in downtown Toronto, a day does not go by in the spring, summer and fall where I don’t see a dog freak out as a skateboard rolls by. Dogs being reactive to skateboards is common since skateboards seem to pop out everywhere there is pavement.

While some dogs see a skateboard and react with their prey drive, others react in fear. A number of factors make dogs anxious towards skateboards.

Your absence does not have to be traumatic. Routine is key. 

Don’t tell your kids, but back to school season is creeping up on us. The summer is a nice break from the regular routine and our four legged friends love having their pack with them all day. Many dog owners report having difficulty leaving their dog alone when September returns and the family must leave for work and school as the dog becomes vocal, anxious and destructive. 

 

Every year, CKC holds its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in a different city, making it easier for local members, in addition to Staff and Board Members, to attend this annual event. It also provides CKC with the wonderful opportunity to recognize some of the local members that have contributed to CKC and the purebred dog community.

As CKC owes its existence and continued success to the vision, hard work and dedication of its members, the tradition of celebrating local members began at the 2016 AGM in Quebec City.  It has continued through to this year’s AGM on June 1 in Winnipeg,  where CKC recognized some remarkable Manitoba members. 

A few tips on attending your first Dog Show!

Even if you have watched “Best in Show” in its entirety, it’s tough for a first-time spectator to prepare themselves for an all-breed dog show. Between the dogs being groomed on tables, dogs being brought out to exercise, loudspeakers, numbers called out, vendors chatting and dogs of all sizes walking in all directions, it can be confusing for the new comer. Not to mention that the “ring” where your favourite breed is being judged is actually a rectangle.

 

Dog shows are enjoyable and educational, but many find the process of how the eliminations work quite confusing. This blog will explain how a dog show works, from the classes to Best in Show.

HISTORY AND PURPOSE

Conformation dog shows have a rich history dating back to the Victorian era in Britain, where they became a phenomenon that spread around the world. We have had dog shows celebrating purposefully bred dogs here in North America since the late 19^th century. 
Photo by: Clint Ellery

The dog show world is something I have always been interested in but never thought I would get the chance to be a part of. When my husband Ross and I brought our Lagotto Romagnolo puppy Hudson home last year, he brought so much love into our world and he definitely kept us on our toes…this particular breed likes to keep busy! 

The dog community is mourning the loss of Michael Shoreman, a great dog man, who passed away on March 25.
 
Mike loved all purebred dogs and dedicated his life to breeding quality dogs, judging with integrity and, most importantly, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with everyone around him. 

Careful consideration and research are required when adding a dog into your life

Are you hoping to own a dog in the near future? Every time one of my friends tell me that they are seriously considering buying a dog, I offer to text them every time I spend time with or money on my dog for a week. If they actually agree to this, by day three I usually get a polite “Got it. Thanks”.
 

Recently I was eating breakfast with a colleague from work.  Of course, as many of our conversations go, we began to chat about our dogs.  Both of her dogs are mixed breeds and beautiful pets.  Nonetheless, she has always expressed an interest in my tales of dog showing.  I was telling her how Victor and I have been preparing for Obedience trials. I shared with her how proud I was the other morning when he mastered the hand signal for down ... 

Max Magder
November 28, 1927 - March 17, 2019

Dog breeder, exhibitor, All Breed Dog Judge, designer, inventor and successful businessman; Max Magder leaves a large void not easily filled. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family, especially his daughter Lori and son Richard from whom his famed kennel name LORRICBROOK originated.

Max was born in Austria in 1927 and immigrated at a young age to Canada with his parents and two older sisters.  The family settled in Hamilton, Ontario, where another brother was born shortly thereafter.
 

Signs to look for when buying a puppy.

If you look up the word “breeder” on Wikipedia you will find a definition that reads: “A breeder is a person who selectively breeds carefully selected mates, normally of the same breed to sexually reproduce offspring with specific, consistently replicable qualities and characteristics.” Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

We caught up with Lee of the amazing Lee and Scooter team while they were down in Florida enjoying a well-earned vacation. They have claimed the #1 Obedience Top Dogs spot for two years in a row, and Lee graciously expanded on her Top Dogs interview, offering some wonderful insight into the world of Obedience training and her work with Scooter. 

Owning a Top Dog is an honour bestowed on few and remembered by all in the fancy. Taking a dog to the top of your chosen discipline requires hours upon hours of training, research, conditioning, grooming, travel and yes, it also takes money. It’s a feat that no owner gets to by themselves. Even before your puppy was yours, years of careful breeding went into that pup and countless people in the dog community helped bring you to this level.

As we approach the end of 2018, I thought it would be great to look back on how Canada’s Top Dogs began and revisit some great dogs of the past.

In 1963, First Top Show Dog Stats were introduced by Dogs in Canada magazine publisher, Elizabeth Dunn. At this time they were referred to as the “Blue Book of Top Winning Dogs”. This list presented the Top 3 all breeds, Top 3 in Group and Top 3 in each breed. The formula wasn’t always consistent; some years included only the total points, while others total points, plus the number of Best of Breed, Group placements and Best in Show wins. Joan Morden was the first recorded statistician for the Top Show Dogs. A memorial trophy in her honour was awarded to the Top Show Dog up until 2010.

In the barren expanses of the Canadian arctic, the Thule Inuit people have carved out an existence for millennia. A resourceful and hardy people, it is doubtful that the Inuit would have survived the harsh conditions without their beloved canine companions, known as “Qimmiq” (“dog") and to non-Inuktitut speakers as the Canadian Eskimo Dog (CED). Accompanying their people from Asia to North America, the Eskimo Dogs’ lives were inextricably bound to those of the Inuit. Serving primarily as a draught animal, they were expected to pull loads between 45 to 80 kg per dog, and cover distances ranging from 15 to 70 miles per day; what the camel was to desert dwellers, the Canadian Eskimo Dog was to the people of the Far North. They also assisted hunters by locating seal breathing holes, and holding musk oxen and polar bears at bay.

A well-trained dog holds a universal appeal like no other. Dog obedience competitions and demonstrations are wildly popular at fairs and festivals across the country and many of us have fond memories of the spectacular stunts of Lassie, the Littlest Hobo, Winn-Dixie and Beethoven.

Throughout the history of humankind’s interaction with the dog, across the globe and for a multitude of functions, some degree of training has been part of this relationship. In the early days, it was to complement their ‘job,’ accompanying the hunter to retrieve game or tending to a shepherd’s flock.

 

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With over 3000 CKC sanctioned events held across Canada each year, there are literally thousands of opportunities for you to enjoy great fun with your canine companion!

If you haven’t decided which style of event appeals most to you and your dog, you can start at the Overview of Events to find out more about each type of event.

Ready to compete? Once you have decided on your favourite event style, practiced at home or in class and are ready to enter your first event, the steps below will help you navigate the wide world of CKC dog events in Canada. Welcome to the fun!

I don’t want homes for puppies, I want homes for adult dogs.  Puppies are easy to sell, ask any puppy mill or rescue. Puppies are snapped up in no time, then as adults they end up in rescue because the people who found the cutest puppy only wanted the puppy, not what the puppy grew up to be.

When people ask about my breed I tell them the good, the great and the not so great aspects of living with a dog this breed in particular.  I also tell them that they need to meet adult dogs and love them, really LOVE them before I will consider them as a home for one of my dogs...